Studienkolleg

Classes and examinations at a public Studienkolleg are generally free of charge, except in Dresden (a total of €6,000) and Glauchau. Since Studienkollegs are part of a university or a university of applied sciences, a semester fee must be paid. Depending on the institution, this fee ranges between €30 and €300.

The course at a Studienkolleg generally lasts two semesters. Each semester may be repeated only once. Most Studienkolleg courses are full-time programs. Between five and seven subjects are taught, amounting to 28 to 32 hours of instruction per week. All students are required to attend classes and participate in both oral and written examinations.

Most Studienkollegs require applicants to demonstrate German language skills at a specific proficiency level. These skills are verified through the following certificates: TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language), DSD II (German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs):

• Goethe Certificate B1 (only at some Studienkollegs)
• Goethe Certificate B2
• Goethe Certificate C1
• Goethe Certificate C2

Most Studienkollegs also offer the TestDaF and the DSH (German Language Examination for University Admission). The DSH exam is administered by the faculties themselves for those who do not yet hold one of the certificates listed above. The TestDaF, on the other hand, as well as the other certificates, can be obtained in Indonesia. All examinations are subject to fees.

You can find more information about the TestDaF here.
In most cases, a B2 level is required (equivalent to 600 hours of instruction). In any case, it is important to check with the respective Studienkolleg.

Would you like to test your German language skills?
Several websites offer online tests, for example, on the Goethe-Institut website.

In addition to the university-specific admission documents, Indonesian applicants require a residence permit for study preparation lasting more than two years. Deadlines and visa requirements should be obtained directly from the embassies and consulates; please refer to the embassy website for details.

Each Studienkolleg has different requirements, submission obligations, and processes. The required level of German language proficiency also varies, starting from B1 and higher.

In addition to the subject German, a specialized course must be taken in the field related to the intended degree program. This course is part of the entrance examination and must be specified at the time of application.

Applications for a place at a Studienkolleg can be submitted directly to the chosen Studienkolleg, to the International Office of the respective university, or via the platform uni-assist.de. It is essential to always check the specific requirements of the Studienkolleg or faculty and organize accordingly by the stated deadlines, as some follow university semester schedules while others follow school semester schedules.

What is uni-assist?

At many Studienkollegs, students must apply through the platform uni-assist.de. Uni-assist receives and reviews documents for international university applications and immediately notifies applicants if any documents are missing. Once everything is in order, the documents are forwarded to the desired university. Be sure to check whether the Studienkolleg you are applying to requires any additional documents.

Certified Translation

Certified translations must be completed by sworn translators in your city and then submitted to the consulate for recognition. A list of sworn translators in your federal state can be found on the websites of the German consulates and the German embassy in Indonesia:
Lists of sworn translators in Indonesia.

Each Studienkolleg has a limited number of places and usually more applicants than available spots. Therefore, an entrance examination in two subjects must be taken to secure admission:

• M-/T-/W-Courses: German and Mathematics
• G-/S-Courses: German and Social Sciences

The examination assesses German language proficiency in three or four areas, typically:

• Grammar (grammar test at level B2.2)
• Reading comprehension and/or
• Listening comprehension
• Writing

The grammar section accounts for nearly 50% of the total score and primarily covers the following topics:

• Spoken and written past tenses
• Past Perfect
• Future Simple
• Indicative / Subjunctive
• Active / Passive voice
• N-declension
• Irregular verbs
• Verb-related prepositions

These areas are generally not tested separately. Candidates must write short sentences, for example by entering text into columns, converting passive sentences into active ones and vice versa, or completing question/answer exercises.

The entrance examination is usually administered at the respective university, meaning you are already in Germany and risk failing the test. However, since October 2021, the Goethe-Institut has partnered with several Studienkollegs. At these partner institutions, you can take the examination in your home country and only travel to Germany afterward.

To prepare effectively and maximize your chances of securing a place, it is recommended to complete practice tests beforehand or attend a preparatory course at the Goethe-Institut.

In the past, the entrance test was conducted exclusively in Germany by the universities offering the Studienkolleg. It is now possible to take the examination in Indonesia, either at Goethe-Institutes in Indonesia or at partner institutions, depending on the respective partner universities.

Each Studienkolleg has its own schedule, but in general, the entrance examination is offered in October and March. Some universities alternatively provide dates in June and January.

Before applying for a place at a Studienkolleg, it is important to find out which courses are offered, as the Studienkollegs provide different specialized courses designed to prepare students for specific fields of study.

Always keep in mind that you may only apply to a university program within the same field as the specialized course you completed at the Studienkolleg. This can sometimes lead to complications, such as in the case of Psychology: at some universities, the program belongs to the field of Medicine, while at others it falls under Social Sciences. Therefore, it is advisable to check in advance which field your desired degree program is classified under at the respective university, so you can choose the correct Studienkolleg and specialized course.

For studies at a university, there are five types of Studienkolleg courses:

• M-Course: For medicine, biology, or pharmaceutical programs. Core subjects: German, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences
• T-Course: For technical and natural science programs. Core subjects: German, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
• W-Course: For economics and social science programs. Core subjects: German, Mathematics, Political Economy, History or Geography, English
• G-Course: For humanities and language programs, such as History, German Studies, or Philosophy. Core subjects: German, History, German or English Literature, Sociology/Geography
• S-Course: For language studies (foreign languages other than German). Core subjects: German, a foreign language, History or Sociology/Geography, or German Literature (at some universities, a combined G-/S-Course is offered)

Studienkollegs at universities of applied sciences offer the following specialized courses:

• TI-Course: For technical and engineering programs
• WW-Course: For economics programs
• GD-Course: For design and art programs
• SW-Course: For social science and societal studies programs

Studying at a music or art academy requires a different type of university admission than other degree programs. Instead of attending a Studienkolleg, these universities conduct an aptitude test in which applicants must demonstrate prior knowledge in the desired field.

Please consult the website of the respective university for information on how to apply to these institutions.

Yes, you may only apply for a university program that falls within the same field as the specialized course you completed at the Studienkolleg. For example, those who attended a G/S-Course can study History, German Studies, Philosophy, or Foreign Languages. The M-Course qualifies you for Medicine, Pharmacy, and Biology. The T-Course is intended for natural sciences and technical subjects. With the W-Course, you can pursue studies in Social Sciences and Economics.

After completing the Studienkolleg, students can take the Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test), which qualifies them to apply to their desired university. However, if you fail this examination - even on the second attempt - you will not be able to study in Germany.

At some Studienkollegs, it is also possible to take the Feststellungsprüfung as an “external assessment test.” This means you do not need to attend a Studienkolleg beforehand - although this is generally very challenging. The required level of German for this examination is significantly higher than for the entrance test. Therefore, it is strongly advised to choose this option only if you are very confident in your German language skills.

If you pass the examination, you may enroll in your desired degree program. Always remember that you can only retake the test once.
 

Due to a federal state decision, several Studienkollegs in North Rhine-Westphalia were closed. As a result, the Studienkolleg at the University of Cologne and the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, as well as the Studienkolleg at the University of Münster, have their own admission procedures.

According to the law of 2012, students who have already obtained university admission at foreign universities abroad are granted easier access to German universities. This means they no longer need to complete a Studienkolleg but only have to pass an entrance examination at the chosen university. After passing this university entrance examination and providing proof of the required German language proficiency, applicants can register directly and begin their studies.

If you have selected one of these universities, please contact the Academic International Office of the respective institution for detailed information.

After successfully passing the Feststellungsprüfung, you can apply for a bachelor’s degree program in your chosen field. Some Studienkollegs allow you to apply in a different federal state, while others are recognized only by universities of applied sciences within the same state. It is essential to check in advance what the selected Studienkolleg permits, especially if you plan to apply for a degree program in another federal state later on.

In most cases, students remain at the same university where they completed the Studienkolleg. However, for certain degree programs, you may also apply to other universities within the same federal state or even in other parts of Germany. It is necessary to determine in advance whether you intend to apply to more than one institution.

Yes, international students who wish to study medicine must complete the Studienkolleg with an M-Course. Graduates who hold an Abitur or an International Baccalaureate (IB) can apply directly through the portal of the Foundation for University Admission: http://hochschulstart.de/startseite.